David Owen Odegard

David Owen Odegard, age 73, of North Mankato, Minnesota, passed away on April 21st, 2025 peacefully at his home. David was born on March 11, 1952, in Madelia, MN, to Orrie Orlando and Elizabeth Ardella Odegard.

David was the third of six boys. After graduating from St. James High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he proudly served as a Commissaryman/Steward and completed training at the Naval Submarine School. Following his discharge, David pursued technical training at Jackson Vo-Tech, earning certifications as a Master Plumber and in HVAC.

After his technical training, David worked a variety of jobs before finding his calling with St. James Public Schools, where he served as a maintenance technician for 19 years. During this time, he also ran his own business - David's Remodeling, for 14 years. Later, he worked with Oswego County BOCES in upstate New York and eventually returned to Minnesota to become Head of Maintenance at Truman Public School, retiring in 2014.

David was known for his easygoing and generous spirit. He found true joy in spending time with and helping his children as well as friends with any project where he could use his vast expertise in carpentry, plumbing, electrical or HVAC. Some of his favorite memories included summer vacations with family at Spider Lake Resort and traveling to visit family in Florida. He deeply loved his children and cherished time spent with his grandchildren. In retirement, you could find him fishing from sun up to sun down, always trying to catch the one that got away. And you were always guaranteed a couple of bad jokes in conversation with him.

David is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Odegard (Beckius); his brother, Roger (Sue) Odegard; his children, Toby (Kristin) Odegard, Tonya Douglas, John (Jenna) Odegard, and Andrew Odegard; and three granddaughters, Olivia Laine, Lexi Lou and Lyra Lynn. He was preceded in death by his father, Orrie Odegard; brothers Michael, Marlin, Curtis, and Allen Odegard; and his granddaughter, Alana Janae.

David’s legacy lives on in the memories and love he shared with those closest to him. A Celebration of Life will be planned for later this summer.